The health ministry has temporarily lifted the ban on 118 out of a total of 122 banned Indian drugs.

The director of the Cosmetics, Devices & Drugs Regulatory Authority Dr. Hemantha Benaragama stated that the decision was taken after taking into consideration the shortage of drugs in hospitals due to the ban.

The Health Ministry took a decision to remove 122 pharmaceutical drugs supplied by 4 Indian companies from usage after it was discovered that the drugs were of substandard quality.

However, subsequent to the decision a shortage of pharmaceutical drugs occurred in hospitals and the ban was lifted for 118 of the banned drugs temporarily until they can be obtained from other companies.

Speaking to our news team the director of the Cosmetics, Devices & Drugs Regulatory Authority Dr. Hemantha Benaragama made the following statement with regard to the decision taken.